Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 889 Too Attached

Chapter 889: Chapter 889 Too Attached

Zhou Shuren smiled, "Your Highness, you also know that the capital’s libraries have always been held in high regard. We’ve obtained quite a number of books from those who’ve had their property confiscated, so I thought I’d ask Your Highness to inventory them before sending them to the libraries."

Zhang Yang’s smile slowly faded. The Ministry of Revenue had been especially busy these days, and he’d thought that he might land himself a decent job. Yet, unexpectedly, he was stuck with the same old errand running, "My Lord, I don’t think this is appropriate."

Zhou Shuren cut him off, "Your Highness, this is no trivial matter. It’s connected to the libraries and concerns countless scholars."

Zhang Yang pursed his lips. In the past, upon hearing such words, he would have naively went ahead with it. Now, Zhang Yang let out an ironic chuckle, "In that case, I’ll need some assistance."

His gaze had already turned toward Zhang Jinghong.

Zhou Shuren was already fed up. At least Zhang Jinghong was serving under his direct supervision. If he fell ill due to overwork, who would help him with his duties? "I have other assignments for him. If Your Highness does not like this task, you are free to say so outright. I will call the head steward right now."

What could Zhang Yang do but swallow his frustration? He didn’t say a word and left, internally cursing Zhang Jinghong. What was so great about Zhang Jinghong that even Zhou Shuren was protecting him now?

Zhang Jinghong felt like jumping for joy. He knew very well that with his frail physique, accompanying the Fifth Prince would surely lead to illness, "Thank you, my Lord."

Zhou Shuren smiled, "I’m already very busy, and Mr. Qiu is resting. You’ve been a great help these past days. I simply wish to return home at regular hours."

Zhang Jinghong, "....Your subordinate will certainly handle the tasks you’ve entrusted to me."

Zhou Shuren hummed in response—he truly had too much on his plate.

Zhang Jinghong’s heart shattered into fragments. He should not have expected much from Lord Zhou. The only consolation was that his abilities had caught Lord Zhou’s eye.

In Zhou family village, Xue Mei received a letter that had been sent ahead from the capital. Xue Mei had not recovered her spirits these days and was still not well. Upon reading the letter, her spirits were thoroughly lifted, as there was no longer a need for her to make a decision—her parents had already made one.

Lady Jiangwang had kept close watch over her daughter-in-law, as she truly worried about her these days. Any mishap with her daughter-in-law, and the in-laws would never forgive the Jiang family. Eagerly, she asked, "What does the letter say?"

Xue Mei’s mouth curved into a smile, "Mother, my parents have already sent someone back to our hometown to take us to the capital."

Lady Jiangwang became excited, "Really? We’re all going to the capital?"

Xue Mei nodded, "Yes, my parents want us to move to the capital, and once my husband arrives there, he will study at the Academy."

Lady Jiangwang was at first delighted. Moving to the capital meant they wouldn’t have to live in fear anymore. But then it dawned on her, if her son moved to the capital, what about them, the elderly couple?

Lady Jiangwang did not want to leave her youngest son’s home, where they lived well, dressed well, and received Silver Coins from their daughter-in-law. She relished the feeling of envy from others. Now accustomed to this, she really did not want to return to the side of her oldest son.

Xue Mei did not notice her mother-in-law’s reaction; she had too much to take care of, "Mother, I need to speak with the Clan Leader. I must hurry back to pack our belongings. I’ll be going out first."

Lady Jiangwang came to her senses only to find her daughter-in-law already stepping out the door.

Anxious, Lady Jiangwang couldn’t sit still. She found her husband, who was chopping wood in the yard, "Our son’s family is going to the capital. What are we to do?"

The old Mr. Jiang nearly chopped his own foot, "To the capital?"

"Yes, to ensure our son’s family’s safety, the in-laws have already sent someone back to fetch them to the capital."

Old Mr. Jiang secretly longed to accompany his son, convinced that the greatest fortune of his life was his current situation. He wanted to see the capital himself, but since neither the son nor daughter-in-law had mentioned it, the elderly couple couldn’t bring it up themselves. Dropping the axe, he said, "Let’s wait for our son and his wife to speak first!"

Lady Jiangwang was inwardly troubled but helpless, especially as she thought back on past actions. If there were a pill for regret, she would choose to behave more sensibly. Alas!

In the capital at night, Zhou Shuren watched as his sons Chang Lian and Chang Zhi quickly finished their dinner and thought them fools, for he, their father, hadn’t yet finished his meal. You’ve finished eating, but you also can’t leave the table!

Zhou Shuren continued to eat at his usual pace, with no intention of purposely making his two sons suffer.

However, in the eyes of Chang Lian and Chang Zhi, their father ate too slowly. They were anxious inside but had no choice but to endure it.

As soon as Zhou Shuren finished his dinner and stood up, Chang Lian and Chang Zhi ran out.

Chang Zhi, seeing his third brother running much faster than him, thought both of them had the same idea in mind—both wanted to choose their favorites first. Heh, his third brother didn’t act like an elder brother at all, not knowing how to give way to his younger sibling.

Chang Lian arrived at the study room first, delighted; he had set his eye on it the night before. Quickly taking the book, he left the study and, upon seeing Chang Zhi come in, smugly flaunted the book in his hand.

Chang Zhi held back, knowing that if he fought and damaged the book, his father would be furious with him, and he would have acted long ago.

Chang Lian, raising his eyebrows, said, "I need to read this book carefully; it may take some days."

Chang Zhi looked at his father standing at the doorway and saw the old man grab the book from his third brother’s hand, smiling.

Zhou Shuren took the book, "What a coincidence, I was thinking the same thing."

Chang Lian, "..."

Father, you’re really bullying your son.

At night, when Zhou Shuren returned from the study, Zhulan noticed he was in a good mood. "Are you addicted to bullying them?"

"Don’t mention it, watching the two of them act foolish is quite entertaining."

Zhulan, laughing, said, "You as a father are really developing a taste for mischief."

Zhou Shuren felt being a father was too good. He changed clothes and said, "The Ministry of Revenue is planning to deal with antiques and paintings, and I’m thinking of buying some."

Zhulan, calculating the family’s accounts, said, "This year, excluding the thank-you gifts from Ning Residence, we’ve earned quite a lot of Silver Coin in one autumn. However, I’m saving the Silver Coin for a purpose, and can only let you use ten thousand taels."

Zhou Shuren thought ten thousand taels were a bit meager. He wanted to take this opportunity to accumulate more family assets and leave more for his descendants. But he also knew that next year they would need to spend a lot of Silver Coin, primarily for the dowry of their little girl.

Zhou Shuren turned over in bed, playing with his wife’s hair. He envied its black shine; even the few white hairs stood out sharply. It was incredibly long, fit for a shampoo commercial. Looking at his own hair, it was smooth too, but he had less of it.

Each time he touched the top of his head, he was extremely careful.

Zhulan pulled back her hair, "Why don’t you speak up? It’s not that I’m stingy; I really have a use for it. I want to expand our family’s wealth next year. Now that our grandsons and granddaughters are betrothed, you also mentioned giving them a more generous dowry."

Zhou Shuren finally came back to reality and spoke, "Ten thousand taels is not too little. I was thinking about how to make ten thousand taels give off the impression of thirty thousand."

Zhulan, though initially feeling sleepy, was now fully alert. "What do you mean by that?"

Zhou Shuren mentioned the Emperor’s intention to dispose of antiques and paintings, implying they could be sold for much higher Silver. "That’s the plan."

Zhulan felt happy inside, "I was thinking about what to buy next year that could be quickly liquidated, but now, I think giving you ten thousand taels is too little. Let’s make it twenty thousand taels."